Pages

2.04.2012

First goose egg we've nabbed before the dogs have, that is. It looks like the geese started laying a few days ago, but the nest areas were empty. Where were they laying? Not in the new nest boxes, but in the duck shelters while the ducks were away. That's my size 8 hand holding the goose egg.

This egg was found, surprise-surprise, in the modified goose shelter that they've rarely used since the thing was originally built three years ago. Spouse espied a goose settling into one of the compartments earlier this afternoon, and we kept our eye on it. Once the goose was off the nest, I knew it was a race between me and the dogs who as to who would discover & get to that egg first. I won this time, w00t! Dogs: 3, Humans: 1.

For a bit more perspective on size...

...the ruler is showing the egg is about 5 inches long. There's an extra-large chicken egg to the left. Click on the pic for a larger view. The egg is probably a double-yolk, which is a cool thing for us humans, but not so good for the goose - if she were to try to hatch the egg, the two goslings would never come to term. No twins allowed in egg hatching, just not enough room. Another reason why we don't let our geese hatch their own, as the geese we obtained from a commercial breeder have consistently had genetic problems. Could be due to a bad brooder box, could be issues with their stock of geese. Regardless, it's probably for the best: letting domestic geese raise their own babies results in holeee terrors. The geese we've raised by hand tolerate us. Their babies would feast on our carcasses.

Geese can be rotten little bullies. If you're in the area, I'm more than happy to offer "goose desensitization" therapy" for you :-). I've helped one or two of the techs at our local vet office, believe it or not...

I was at the University of York (England) on exchange once upon a time. The campus is built on reclaimed wetlands, with a large pond at its center. There are myriad waterfowl living on the campus. Every spring, the grounds crew would put out signs reading "Caution! Aggressive Geese!"

Search This Blog

What this is all about:

Spouse and I are two tech geeks creating a small family farm in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Our (okay, MY) goal is to grow an organic fruit orchard, and sell to farm markets as my full-time retirement job. Our efforts currently comprise of eight geese, ten ducks, three livestock guardian dogs, and twenty-three laying hens (plus one rooster) of various breeds. Oh, and about 30-odd fruit trees. Hey, I DO have an orchard!

Although I believe the world economic engine and oil production is winding down, it is by getting to know our neighbors and working together on a local level that we'll weather the rough times ahead. Re-localization and locavorism for the win![Spouse thinks I'm nuts, but that's okay. He had his chance to run. Now he's stuck with me.]